Why does my vagina itch *days* before my period?
Have you ever noticed your vagina starts to itch a few days before your period…? Could it be a yeast infection? Maybe, maybe not. Many menstruating humans experience vaginal itching in different stages of their menstrual cycle. Remember, the menstrual cycle lasts ~28 days, having different functions in each stage, and every uterus is different! But why is it so common for people to experience that deadly itch before menstrual bleeding?
It could be many reasons, but it always links back to vaginal pH levels. A normal pH level for your vagina ranges from 3.5-4.5, which means it is acidic. If your pH levels are higher than 7, it is considered alkaline, which means your pH levels are too high and infection has risen. You’ve heard it before, and you’ll hear it again – your vagina is a self-cleaning oven, which means it doesn’t need any scented soaps or creams (that will mess with your pH balance) to get clean.
Is it yeast infection?
Yeast infections, also known as candidiasis, occur when there is an overgrowth of the Candida fungus in the body. While Candida is naturally present in various parts of the body, such as the mouth, intestines, and genital area, an overgrowth can lead to uncomfortable symptoms and complications. Symptoms like itching, burning sensation, redness, swelling, and abnormal vaginal discharge that is typically thick, white, and odorless. Learn more how to detect yeast infection and how to treat it from our blog.
Hormones also play a key role in your itchy vagina
Your vagina experiences a decrease of estrogen levels during the start of your period (the follicular phase). This change in estrogen is making your vaginal wall go all kinds of crazy, causing the vaginal wall to thin, increase inflammation, and create more acid in your vagina. Guess what? Yeast loves acidity, which could be one of the reasons why you feel itchy down there.
Aside from itching, many people also experience stinging and irritating sensations just days before or during their period. They could be experiencing cyclic vulvovaginitis.
We’ll elaborate.
Cyclic vulvovaginitis
Cyclic vulvovaginitis refers to the recurrent burning *and itching* happening down there before or during menstrual bleeding. It could mean that your vagina is experiencing intense burning, stinging, and overall irritation due to candida infection. How lovely does this sound? Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse, don’t even THINK about having sexual intercourse – your vaginal walls will scream Bloody Mary.
Are you boiling your menstrual cup before and after every cycle?
If you want to prevent your vagina from getting a yeast infection or other unwanted cause for itch, you've got to make sure you're boiling your menstrual cup consistently and cleaning it properly! Our Lunette Cup Cleanser not only cleans your cup, but it doesn't have any harsh chemicals that will mess with your pH levels! It's a win-win situation.
So how can we treat an itchy vagina, especially before menstruation?
Hopefully you don’t always experience discomfort before or during your period, but if you do, there are many ways to prevent itchiness and keep your pH levels balanced. Raw probiotic pills are a vagina’s best friend. Eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, or miso can also make a great impact. Let’s not forget about cranberry juice – that stuff is full of acidic compounds that will fight off bacteria and keep your vagina happy. Also, tight, synthetic underwear can suffocate your vagina and create moisture, so remember to let it breathe. It's important to clean your vulva (external area) with lukewarm water or products that are meant for the delicate genital area, like Lunette Intimate Wipes or patented Lunette Intimate Cleanser.
If you’re eating healthy, exercising, cleaning your cup right, and taking care of yourself, then you're doing it right!
46 comments
Hey Zandi!
You can try to prevent itchiness, by keeping your pH levels balanced. Maybe try eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, or miso to make a great impact. Cranberry juice is an absolute must – to fight off bacteria and keep your vagina happy. Also, tight, synthetic underwear can suffocate your vagina and create moisture, so remember to let it breathe! ;)
Sometimes itchiness can also be caused by different underwear or menstrual products, especially if its always happening around your periods. Maybe you could look into alternative materials or products. Especially switching to a menstrual cup (if you are using pads or tampons) may help with the itching.
Also Lunette Intimate Cleanser is a great product for the pH balance of your intimate area!
Best,
Team Lunette
Itching of vagina before I get my periods or during my periods .what can I use , drink or eat to end this ?
Hi Alex!
If you get the right treatment for a yeast infection, it should help you right away and not get worse before it gets better. It could also be that you have been misdiagnosed, if you got medicine for yeast infection but maybe you might have bacterial vaginosis?
Maybe you might be using a cleanser that causes some allergy for you, or could the medicine be unsuitable.
Good that you have already gone to the doctor, but generally if you are worried, I would recommend consulting a doctor again. Please keep in mind that we are no medical professionals and therefore cannot make a remote diagnosis. Only a medical professional can make the necessary examinations.
-Team Lunette
Hi Kiran!
To prevent itchiness, try to keep your pH levels balanced. Maybe try eating probiotic-rich foods such as yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, tempeh, or miso to make a great impact. Cranberry juice is an absolute must – to fight off bacteria and keep your vagina happy. Also, tight, synthetic underwear can suffocate your vagina and create moisture, so remember to let it breathe! ;)
-Team Lunette
Hi my virgins starts iching before my period starts, how to get rid of itching
Hai. I am Alex. I think I have a Yeast infection, my vagina is red from the inside, it hurts when I pee, and now that my periods have come whenever it touches the reddened area i experience intense burning…..even though I saw a doctor and started the treatment. It’s not getting better…. do you think it gets worse before it gets better? I just want the burning to stop. I can’t do anything but feel the pain.
Hi Caroline,
there are many reasons for itching, like irritation, yeast or bacterial infection, STDs,… as we are no doctors, we cannot make remote diagnosis nor determine treatment. Please visit your doctor to discuss your concerns with her/him. Only a doctor is able to make the necessary checks and can tell you what is going on.
Best regards, Team Lunette
Hi I’ve having itchy before my period. The itchy is unbearable especially at night. Even it burns when irritating. Please help me find a solution to that itchyness
Hi Aleena,
itching may come due to various reasons. As we are no doctors we cannot make a remote diagnosis, nor can we make an examinatio – these are things only doctors can do and we recommend visiting your doctor should the itching continue or even worsen, or should other symptoms start (like change in smell or texture/amount of discharge).
Best regards, Team Lunette
I had s3x a week ago with my boyfriend and now I have a burning sensation and it’s itching….also my period is in three days
Will itching go away? And Is it normal?
I have itching vagina roughly about 7 or 8 days ago and then lately it has burning sensation when peeing, it doesn’t hurt but makes the itch become more often and also sometimes have a weird fart like odor
Idk if it is because I masturbated with a dildo before or is it due to my panties…. I’m about to see a doctor tmr. I’m having signs of period today and I hope there won’t be itch
Hi Heisi Kora,
we recommend checking the information leaflet of the depo to see if this is a side effect of the depo. Your pharmacy might also be able to help. Your doctor should also be able to tell you whether this is to be expected when being on depo. As we are no health professionals and cannot offer remote diagnosis or determine treatment, we ask you to visit your doctor should the itching continue, worsen or if further symptoms occur, like change in discharge or smell.
Best regards, Team Lunette
I’m on depo, I’m also facing itchiness but I’m also confused I missed my monthly period
I also get the itching before and after my period
I’m even going through it as I’m typing and it became worse today until I used a home remedy which is by adding look warm water to rocky sea salt and squeezing a bit of lime to it and I used it wash my vulva after taking my bath to make the place clean
Before I was able to get back to my usual activity
I hope this helps someone
NB- just the vulva
Hi Celine! Sorry to hear you’re dealing with such discomfort! Unfortunately we cannot offer diagnosis as we are not medical professionals. We recommend consulting another doctor to assist.
Hi, I experience itching and burning sensation down there during my cycle .I have done so many tests but all were negative. I even used mycoten tablet
( insertion )recommended by a physician yet the burning sensation has not gone.pls help
Hi Ann! Thanks for your question! We’re sorry to hear you’re dealing with pre period itchiness. This is quite common, and there are non medical ways to help with the itching. As vaginal itching is caused by your pH balance being out of whack, you can begin with natural steps like upping your probiotic intake, or using a pH balancing intimate wash. :) Hormonal birth control will not fix the pH balance of the vagina. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at info@lunette.com if there is anything else we can assist with!
-Team Lunette
Hi, could birth control pills end with that itchiness before the period starts? My gynecologist said that they could help me with other problems (my period is really long and painful) but I refused to take them. Now I don’t know what to do. I kinda feel that in my case the itchiness could be because of an hormonal issue because have it some days before my period starts and when it finishes I don’t feel it anymore. Also when I feel the itchiness my vagina is so dry but I don’t feel pain, that burning sensation or any other symptom. Thank you
Hi Tabitha! Because everybody and every BODY is different, we recommend consulting a doctor for a more detailed explanation into the itching you are experiencing <3
-Team Lunette
Hi Naomi! Itching before periods is quite common and can go away on its own. If the itching is severe or lasts longer the culprit may be infection and it is best to consult a doctor. If you are concerned about your period it is also best to check in with a doctor about it. As we are not medical professionals we cannot offer diagnosis. <3
-Team Lunette
Hi, I only experience itching few days before my period but after my period ends, the itching stops and when it’s time for ovulation, it begins again.. i want to know the reason for it.
Hello, I have been having an itching Virginia for three days now and my period came today looking very dark. Please is it normal?
Hi, I only experience itching few days before my leriod but after my period ends, the itching stops and when it’s time for ovulation, it begins again.. Is it hormones and is it totally safe and healthy?
Hi Javeria! We recommend contacting a doctor so they can examine the cause of the itch and provide relief. :)
-Team Lunette
Hi, Sabrina! We encourage you to consult a doctor as soon as possible so they can offer you relief. :)
-Team Lunette
